As with any other manufactured item, differences exist between band uniforms constructed by various manufacturers. Although uniforms may look the same when a cursory visual comparison is made, the true differences in a garment are found when evaluating inner construction and quality of craftsmanship. FRUHAUF UNIFORMS, INC., has been manufacturing quality band uniforms since 1910. This experience has culminated in the finest quality garment in the industry today.
Emphasis is placed on appearance, fit, and durability, insuring the purchaser of the best investment of their uniform dollar. The following lists detail a few of the items that make a FRUHAUF uniform the benchmark of the industry.
PATTERNS
Our uniform patterns have been developed over 90 years of actual uniform design and production. The patterns are designed specifically for child, adolescent and adult age groups. The patterns are also made separately for male and female students allowing for proper proportions in the garment for proper fit to the students.
COATS
The following construction features are found in a FRUHAUF coat:
1. Four piece front construction allowing for proper chest, bust, and waist suppression in all size ranges while eliminating unsightly bust darts.
2. Insleeve and side body seams are 1" double, to allow for proper alterations.
3. The coat canvas is composed of a layer of hymo coat canvas, supported by a layer of "Nylo-flex", covered by a section of felt applied with rows of zig-zag stitching. This method provides for proper chest support and contour without bulk or unsightly lines from pressing as found with four or five layered hymo canvases.
4. A 3/8" non-bias tape is run down the front and along the base of the coat to ensure body and shape retention .
5. A vertical 1" lining pleat shall extend from the base of the collar down to the natural waistline to allow for comfort when the arms are extended in the playing position.
6. Our shoulder pads are preformed having an additional support of coat canvas
material sandwiched between the padding and then "needle punch" constructed so that shape and form retention is guaranteed.
7. The armhole is constructed with the lining, seam allowance, shoulder pad, sleeve head, edge tape, coat canvas and armhole seams joined together by machine "zig-zag" stitching. The method produces a securely attached armhole while allowing for flexibility in the area which is demanded by musicians constantly applying stress through rigorous arm movements.
8. Our sleeve heads are made of coat canvas material which will not "break down", flake or deteriorate through use and normal dry-cleaning processes.
9. Our perspiration shields are made of felt, material designed to absorb moisture, bound with rayon binding, and machine stitched all around.
10. A 3/4" non-bias Bridle Tape is placed where the lapel rolls, and this is then blind stitched to retain smooth lines and afford a permanent shape.
11. The coat lining is made of 100% polyester twill with a herringbone weave. This lining provides the greatest durability of any lining material on the market today.
12. Our coats contain a generous 2 1/2" sleeve cuff, having the fabric and lining continue to the bottom, turned back up and blind stitched to the lining to permit sleeve length alteration without disengaging the lining from the sleeve fabric.
13. All of our button holes are "cut first", providing the consumer with a clean tailored look without raw edges of material and canvas interfacing being exposed.
14. All of the seams in the coat are underpressed and shaped, insuring permanency of contour and style.
OVERLAY
1. Our overlays are designed and cut in a contour style to fit neatly over the concert coat, from male and female patterns.
2. The shoulder straps on our overlays are die-cut, interfaced with pellon, stitched, turned and top stitched. All braid on our shoulder straps is stitched through and through insuring permanent placement through countless pressings.
3. The standing collar on a FRUHAUF overlay is made of die-cut dry cleanable, "Mylar", covered on both sides with pellon interfacing and then bound with a fabric backed vinyl along the top edge of the collar. The hook and eye closure is attached to the frame through the use of non-bias tape threaded through the closure mechanism, and then stitched through the collar frame approximately two inches from the end of the frame. This insures that the frame will not crack which results when rivets are used to attach the hook and eye.
4. Our removable collar liner, with extended length to overlap in the front, is made of an absorbent webbing, piped all around with a washable cotton binding. This washable liner is numbered to allow for ease of returning to the proper coat after cleaning. The liner is held in place by 4 heavy duty non-rusting, metal snaps with the male part of the snap attached to the liner. This method provides the most comfortable fit possible. 5. All braid, ornamentation, patches, stripes, lettering and embroidery is applied to a FRUHAUF overlay prior to turning and top stitching. If the items listed are sewn on through and through the overlay the result is unsightly thread lines exposed to abrasion.
TROUSERS
1. All FRUHAUF trousers are made separately for male and female students. Our patterns are designed to eliminate peg legs and baggy seats.
2. Our waistband curtain is lined with the same lining material used in our coats preventing exposure of the curtain to unwanted moisture.
3. The waistband on our trousers contain a 2" strip of "Ban-Rol" for reinforcement.
4. The crotch of our trousers is reinforced with a set of four double crotch pieces, serged and stitched.
5. Our seat seam is closed using a two needle tandem machine, utilizing four Filco #50 cotton thread providing the strongest seat closure in the industry.
6. Our front zipper closures are solid brass YKK quality and guaranteed for the life of the trousers.
7. The fly facing is serged on all four sides and cut on the bias to prevent twisting of the fly. Our zippers are also bartacked horizontally at the bottom and vertically on the side to properly anchor the zipper.
8. The adjustable side zippers on a pair of FRUHAUF trousers is 4" in length allowing for the maximum amount of trouser adjustment on the market today.
9. Our side zippers are attached in a manner that allows for the separation of the zipper parts so that the garment can be properly pressed by you dry cleaner.
10. A single needle box stitch is sewn around our hook-flex closure insuring permanent attachment, support, and strength.
11. All areas of stress in our trousers is reinforced with a heavy duty 39 stitch bar tack.
12. Trouser stripes are attached with a lock stitch, centered on the pant leg to insure a uniform appearance between all students.
13. We provide a generous 3" turn-up, bound with 1/2" rayon binding, to allow for easy alterations while alleviating bulkiness in the cuff.
14. Our built-in suspenders are a nylon webbing, 1 1/2" wide sandwiched between the waistband and waistband curtain and box stitched to insure permanence. The material used is strong while also being pliable to allow the ultimate in comfort for the consumer.
BIBBERS
1. All FRUHAUF bibbers are made separately for male and female students. Our patterns are designed to eliminate peg legs and baggy seats.
2. Our waistband curtain (used in the front of Ski-Bibbers) is lined with the same lining material used in our coats preventing exposure of the curtain to unwanted moisture.
3. The crotch of our bibbers is reinforced with a set of four double crotch pieces, serged and stitched.
4. Our seat seam is closed using a two needle tandem machine, utilizing four Filco #50 cotton thread providing the strongest seat closure in the industry.
5. Our front zipper closures are solid brass YKK quality and guaranteed for the life of the bibber.
6. All areas of stress in our bibbers are reinforced with a heavy duty 39 stitch bar tack.
7. Bibber stripes are attached with a lock stitch, centered on the pant leg to insure a uniform appearance between all students.
8. We provide a generous 3" turn-up, bound with 1/2" rayon binding, to allow for easy alterations while alleviating bulkiness in the cuff.
9. Our built-in suspenders are a nylon webbing, 1 1/2" wide sandwiched between the outer shell fabric and the inside facings and box stitched to insure permanence. The material used is strong while also being pliable to allow the ultimate in comfort for the consumer.
SHAKO
1. All FRUHAUF shakos are manufactured in our manufacturing facility in Wichita, KS, providing the ultimate in quality control and color matching.
2. Our shako frame is made of high impact ABS material. Use of our 16 oz. material ensures the frame will not split, crack, melt or disintegrate for the lifetime of the shako.
3. The one piece nylon plume socket is attached to the shako with a stove bolt and nut, coated with "loc-tite", providing the consumer with the most serviceable design available.
4. The headrest in our shako is stitched completely on the "inboard" side of the hat, providing the comfortable "CUSHION-AIRE" fit FRUHAUF shakos are known for.
5. Our visors are constructed using a three layer design, consisting of a plastic top, duroboard and a green underplay to shade the eyes of the wearer. A 3/4" back tacking, utilizing monofilament thread sewn through the frame, provides a visor attachment that will not tear loose from the shako frame.
6. All of our chinstraps are reinforced with metal eyelets where the strap is attached to the hat.
7. The button used to attach the chinstrap to the shako frame passes through a brass eyelet placed in the hole in the shako frame.
8. The front chain on a FRUHAUF shako has a special clip and eye attachment, allowing the side buttons to lay flat against the shako frame.
9. Our plastic shako "Tuf-Tote" is constructed of 100% black, high density, polyethylene with a tensile strength greater than 4800 P.S.I., and carry a two year warranty.
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